Lauryn Hill Among 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees
2026-02-27 - 14:35
A wide-ranging and genre-spanning slate of artists has been nominated for induction into the 2026 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with hip-hop, metal, pop, R&B, and alternative rock all represented. Among the headline nominees are Lauryn Hill, Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Iron Maiden, Luther Vandross and Shakira. The Hall announced 17 performer nominees on Wednesday, casting a broad net across musical styles and generations. The list also includes: Melissa Etheridge Jeff Buckley Pink New Edition Sade Wu-Tang Clan Billy Idol Joy Division / New Order The Black Crowes Oasis INXS Historic Achievements and First-Time Nominees Ten of this year’s 17 nominees appear on the ballot for the first time, including Hill, Collins, Etheridge, Buckley, INXS, New Edition, Pink, Shakira, Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan. Hill’s landmark 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill became the first hip-hop album to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1999. Collins, already inducted as a member of Genesis, enjoyed a massively successful solo career with hits like “In the Air Tonight” and “One More Night,” and has won eight Grammy Awards. Carey, nominated in 2024 and 2025, holds 19 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Sade, also previously nominated, is known for enduring hits such as “Smooth Operator” and “The Sweetest Taboo.” Wu-Tang Clan reshaped hip-hop with their 1993 debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Iron Maiden helped define the new wave of British heavy metal with albums like The Number of the Beast, while INXS dominated late-1980s charts with songs including “Need You Tonight.” New Edition helped pioneer the modern R&B boy band template, and Shakira has been widely credited with bridging Latin music and global pop markets. Vandross, who sold more than 25 million records and delivered classics such as “Here and Now,” died in 2005. Buckley, whose 1994 debut Grace remains critically acclaimed, died in 1997. Selection Process Artists become eligible for nomination 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording. Inductees are selected by more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. The 2026 inductees will be announced in April, alongside recipients in three special committee categories: Musical Influence, Musical Excellence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award. Last year’s inductees included Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden, Salt-N-Pepa, The White Stripes and others. “This diverse list of talented nominees recognises the ever-evolving faces and sounds of Rock & Roll and its continued impact on youth culture,” said foundation chairman John Sykes in a statement. The final class will reflect not only commercial success but also lasting influence — a hallmark of Hall of Fame recognition.